Teaching InterestsOrganic chemistry is at the core of my teaching interests. In all of my courses, I describe the medicinal and biological applications of organic chemistry as well as real-world examples. In addition, I am fascinated by the pharmaceutical industry and the drug discovery and development process; some of my recently developed courses (Medicinal Chemistry and Pharma: A Scientific Approach) cover these topics in detail. I have an interest in further contributing to the integrative learningcurriculum, either in the form of a linked course or a standalone course.

Research InterestsMy research interests lie at the interface of chemistry and biology. Central nervous system drug development has been plagued by frequent failures, in part, due to the shortage of biologically active molecules that can enter the brain. My work is focused on improving the ability of known drugs to enter the brain by altering their properties (e.g., polarity). My research students use a variety of organic chemistry techniques to synthesize and purify these new molecules. They also use medicinal chemistry and biochemistry techniques to experimentally and computationally determine the properties of these molecules, including their stabilities under physiological conditions and abilities to enter the brain.

Many of my past and current research students have presented at local, regional, and national meetings. Student-generated data have been used as preliminary data for grant applications, and these data will soon be incorporated into peer-reviewed publications.

Select PublicationsYoung, SC. * A Systematic Review of Antiamyloidogenic and Metal-ChelatingPeptoids: Two Structural Motifs for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.Molecules 2018, 23, 296-310.